by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

About the author: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a major regional newspaper, ran the following editorial while Congress was considering legislation that would grant state attorneys general the power to go to federal court to block direct shipments of alcoholic beverages from producers to consumers. The 21st Amendment Enforcement Act became law in 2000.

Liquor distributors are doing evil. They’re pushing legislation in Congress that could block direct sales from producers to consumers. The problem, they say, is that out-of-control teens are buying beer and wine by phone or over the Internet with parents’ credit cards.

Restricting Competition

What lawmakers are promoting now is restricted competition of legal commerce. In a turf war where wineries are seeking market access and distributors are intoxicated by their monopoly, consumers are...